Chapter 143 - Roasting

Violet and Ellie fought another group of 5 wolves, but this time they were slower. As they saw and smelt the aromatic meat, and slowly its size above the fire kept on reducing as Aile, Hazel, Xue and the scout were having it. It was too distracting seeing the appetizing meat disappear, especially now as they did not have anything gratifying for the past few days. The little bit of food that Aile offered them from his spatial ring was not enough. They had a selective diet which had developed as the princesses of the adventurers' group with Hunter and Marcus as the leader.

Once again, the wolves around them dropped, and before they could reach Aile and the tasty meat, another group of wolves arrived. With a displeased look, they glared at One and Two as they fought the next group.

As they were panting and breathing heavily after the last member dropped, they noticed One and Two running from the direction of the wolf camp once again. However, this time only one wolf was following them, which was dealt with ease.

One said, "Boss the wolves are no longer following us, they do not want to leave the queen."

Aile counted the wolves with his sense of hearing and noticed 55 of them were remaining around the queen.

Aile then walked to the fire and lifted the remaining meat. Aile divided into two piles, both sides combined was not enough for one person to consume and be satisfied.

He handed one pile to One and the other to Two.

He gave Ellie and Violet a piece each. After they had it, she said cutely, "Make some more for us."

Aile looked at her and shook his head while saying, "I already have to protect both of you, now I also became responsible for your food?"

"What do you mean?"

"The both of you were acting overbearing and haughty considering yourself above everyone. With such attitudes I expected better... a lot better from the both of you. However, your performance so far is far from what you showed off, and it turned out both of you are just barely useful. I had to be extra cautious to protect both of you, and now you are not even capable of making your own food."

Aile then shook his head in a disappointed fashion and said while looking at Violet, "Were you not suppose to come with someone to take care of you? Everyone here gets treated on how effective they are when needed. Both of you not only prove to be weak but have put the two of us in a position to act as babysitters.

We have people here that risked their lives to come and scout.

We have a group-leader that successfully avoided many dangers.

We have people that crossed the river and attracted the dangerous beasts.

Leaving crossing the river aside, the two of you slowly fought a few wolves. Both of you have the least contribution. You need to contribute more just to create some semblance of balance. At least show us that you are capable of making food as the ingredients are right in front of you and try not to waste more of our time." Aile looked at Hazel and then at himself to make it clear that it was just the two of them, that they need to impress. He then continued, "Both of you take a short break to rest or prepare food for yourselves, and you may use the fire. We will shortly leave to fight a bigger group of wolves."

Both Ellie and Violet were embarrassed and angry at Aile. They did not expect to hear this from him, and it hurt them to hear that they had become a burden.

With a disheartened voice, Violet turned to Hazel and said, "I am sorry, we were rude, please forgive us." Figuring out that it was Hazel's involvement in receiving such treatment from Aile. She could not deny the fact that they deserved this to an extent. They did make fun of her without knowing much about her, and Aile was not wrong just a bit harsh.

After receiving a nod from Hazel, she went to one of the wolves to prepare some food. Ellie followed her, she wanted to say something, but then just shook her head and walked ahead. As she did not have any stable ground to retort Aile on. One and Two also looked down as they were partially responsible, but they knew that Aile meant no harm and was trying to teach them something. They have been treated like this many times and knew that each time they learnt a lesson from it. Even the current situation was something they learnt from and decided to stop with such games at the expense of others. Soon One and Two also backed away and stood far like Xue and the scout.

After a while, as Violet and Ellie were amateurly trying to cut a large chunk of meat for themselves. Hazel sighed, "They sounded so happy, you should have at least encouraged them for their effort. If you had let me deal with them, I would have just lightly punished them. They are better than so many people, you were a little too firm on them... At least because of Diana take better care of Ellie. And worst why did you give them a taste of the tasty meat, now that large chunk will not be cooked evenly and without the flavours, they will end up going hungry."

Aile handed her some spices, "If you want to help them, I will not stop you."

Hazel took the spices from him and said, "So you are planning to get me on their good side."

"I do not want them to have a negative impression of you. I think it will be best if you intervene. After all, if I just give in, they will continue to act spoiled."

"It makes sense to curb Ellie's negative behaviour, why bother with Violet."

"Well, of course, I am practising on her, I will know what works and what does not work, as an experiment," Aile said this with confidence, but he did not sound convincing.

Hazel rolled her eyes and sighed, "Why do I feel that you are also trying to get me closer to Diana, through Ellie."

"Well, because I am, you are a bit too distant from her."

"She is different, I do not trust her until she makes a clear move against the White Clan... or a sacrifice that will show her dedication to you. Plus you have not told her about everything you own either, and you are always keeping her close, I can't help but think you are keeping an eye on her." She also wanted to say that she was officially married to Marcus. But knowing Aile's relationship with Diana, she did not want to bring that up.

"She is my maid, that is why she is close to me. Plus she is just like the rest of you to me. Diana just gets a little shy, comparing herself to all of the achievements you all accomplished. But I know she is committed to me and has contributed enough, and she also knows most of my secrets."

"Well, I will try to get closer, but I can not accept her until... She makes a clear divide and joins you. Anyway, I will go and help the two first time cooks."

With that, Hazel left towards Ellie and Violet.

Once she reached there, she gave them some general advice on roasting, that she had learnt from Aile. They were not too keen to learn from her, but nonetheless, they did not want to bite the hand that fed them. She told them to cut the meat to smaller pieces so that it could cook evenly. With that, they cooked their first piece, and from their reaction, she noticed that they were not satisfied.

She then handed them the seasoning, telling them that without it, they would not be able to make it as tasty. They took the ground herbs from her but did not apply it to the meat.

They suspiciously looked at the herbs, and in the end, they did not trust it. Hazel chuckled and told them that she did not have any reason to hurt them. Even if she did, she could accomplish that much better openly by not saving them before.

Ellie then said, "Humph, why are you even here? We are not going to fall into your 'helpful' disguise, we knew it was because of you that he detests us."

Violet said, "What are you doing, this will only make it worse."

Hazel just sighed at their response and told them that she does not need others to fight her battles, and she can do it herself. She continued and said that they should stop acting childish and think why he made them do this as if they do not learn, it will only mean, that he will continue to look down on them.

Violet asked, "What do you mean?"

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